Unfortunately, Mitrovic’s heroics were undone by Martin Olsson’s hammer-blow of a goal in the third minute of stoppage time. But that should not detract from a second from the Serbian’s indomitable display.

Dropped for Papiss Cisse – partially, Rafa Benitez explained, because Mitrovic had only returned from representing Serbia in Estonia in midweek, and in spite of his Tyne-Wear derby leveller – Mitrovic roared his team on from the sidelines, even before his almost game-changing impact once he came on to the field.

When Karl Darlow produced a brilliant point-blank save to deny Dieumerci Mbokani during the first half, Mitrovic was the one applauding his inexperienced goalkeeper while warming up.

And once the 21-year-old was introduced in the 62nd minute, he altered the game – if not the final outcome.

Already Mitrovic had headed one wide, as well as forcing a save from John Ruddy, even before he netted in the 71st minute.

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For Mitrovic’s first, Andros Townsend whipped an early cross in from deep on the right-hand side, the Serbian rose and powered a header goalwards, which flicked up off Timm Klose and past Ruddy.

Mitrovic celebrated wildly, urging the 2,660-strong travelling Toon Army to retain the faith.

And even when Mbokani then thundered in Norwich’s second, Mitrovic did not lose it.

After Gary O’Neil conceded a penalty for handball, Mitrovic grabbed the ball and held on to it.

When stand-in skipper Jonjo Shelvey, who himself likes to take a spot-kick, came up and asked him if he was sure about taking it, Mitrovic told the England international this was to be his moment.

Nervelessly, Mitrovic stared down Ruddy, before curling an effort right into the bottom corner and out of reach of the towering Canaries stopper. Again his celebration was impassioned, and he urged his team-mates to find a winner.

A couple of further half-chances fell his way, neither would go in though.

And, if Papiss Cisse’s header in the 91st minute – which Ruddy tremendously dived to his side to tip wide – had found the top of Mitrovic’s bonce, three points may have been taken back to Tyneside.

Newcastle’s survival chances are looking depressingly bleak after this harrowing defeat, but Mitrovic’s Herculean efforts in his last two matches should offer Toon fans a tiny ray of hope.

His unwillingness to accept United are beaten may yet help Newcastle mount a miraculous recovery.